Chapter 12


Ullah couldn’t get to her hearth fast enough. She ran through the cave, disrupting several things at other hearths along the way and ignoring the complaints of their owners. Kaia was deceiving Kahn, and Ullah wanted him to know. Maybe Kahn would change his mind now and rescind his offer of marriage. Ullah had no intention of welcoming Kaia or the old woman. Kahn was her man, and she was trying to protect him. He needed to be shown that by bringing them to his hearth, he would only be bringing shame to his good name.

She found her mate lounging by the fire on a large pile of furs. Ullah had always been attracted to him, partially because of his status, but also because she liked his virility. But now, knowing that she was no longer what he craved, she was angry and hurt. Why would he want Kaia? She’s the ugliest thing in the cave!

Ullah approached Kahn cautiously after being brushed off last time. Wanting to test the waters first, she didn’t immediately rush to tell him what she’d found out.

“Kahn, I know that Kaia will be joining us soon and wanted to ask you a few questions.” She shuffled about their living area, pretending to be straightening up.

Kahn watched her through squinted eyes. She was up to something. She never cleaned, always leaving that to the children or her own mother. He’d seen her rush from the back of the cave, knowing she’d been spying on Kaia once more. Her jealousy might prove to be a problem he’d have to deal with, but for now, he’d play along.

“Go ahead, you may ask.” Propping himself up on his elbow, he watched her a bit more closely. Once, he had found Ullah the most attractive woman in the cave, but now he found her bordering on repulsive. Her voice grated on his nerves to the point that he normally walked away when she spoke. Her body, though not unappealing, was not the firm, pale flesh of Kaia, that he craved. He was finding it harder each day to be with Ullah, wishing Kaia had already taken her place at his hearth. He planned to do all that he could to make Kaia his first wife, regardless of what it took to make that happen.

Ullah felt his gaze upon her. She knew his look usually meant that he would be pressing her face into the furs soon as he took her from behind. She didn’t mind the roughness, but she wished he could last a little bit longer. “When Kaia arrives, will she be granted permission to sleep with us on our furs? Or will she be given her own furs?”

Kahn thought briefly about his two women sleeping together, touching each other, and he became aroused immediately. He would be fixing that very soon. “Kaia may not be arriving here for some time, I have not decided on the sleeping arrangement yet.” He gave his woman a hand signal, which indicated that she was to assume the position.

A sly smile crept across her face as she climbed onto the furs and presented herself to him. “I just figured since she has begun her cycles, that she would be moving here soon.”

Kahn was preparing to enter her, but stilled as he heard her statement. “What do you know, woman? Tell me everything, now.”

Ullah sat up, figuring he might reward her with more mating time if she told him now. She was wrong.

Kahn listened to her whispered confessions, then began pacing near the fire. Furious that Groma would go against the agreement with Hourak, denying him what was rightfully now his, he plotted his next move. The woman and her daughter would both pay, and he would make sure of it.



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Willow paused before she opened the door to the house on Revello Drive, going over exactly what she had practiced saying the entire way home. Surely Tara would understand, but Spike was a different story. He’d been mad at her since the resurrection, and had barely spoken to her all that time.

Looking through the large picture window from the porch, she could see Spike and Tara on the couch. The lace panels on the window obscured her view, making it impossible to read their lips. The body language showed that Tara was upset, and Spike was trying to comfort her. That didn’t bode well for the Wiccan’s plan. Spike definitely favored Tara over her, and he was sure to be mad at her for upsetting her too.

Standing on the porch, Willow decided she needed to cast that spell she’d been considering. Tara and Spike would not want to hear that she was still working on getting Buffy back; they’d want to hear the Slayer was back already. Just need the spell long enough to get the original spell sorted. Then they will be grateful to me, thankful for me sharing my abilities with them. They will appreciate all that I do for them. Let me just pick up some bramble from the Magic Box, then I can just get back to work. Turning to leave, she barely heard a noise, but felt a strong grip on her arm. Turning her head, she saw two angry blonds looking at her.

“Where are you going, Red? I think you need to come inside. You’ve got a bit of ‘splaining to do.” With that comment, the furious vampire jerked her into the house.



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Spike dragged Willow to the kitchen and pushed her toward one of the stools. “Have a seat. Now, start with the talking. Where’s Buffy?”

Willow was angry with her body for betraying her by trembling at his words. He might be a master vampire, and have lived over a hundred years, but she was much stronger by far. If he’s wise, he’ll drop the attitude with me now. I’d hate to have to show him who has the real power in this house.

Tara watched from the doorway, tears still streaming down her face. She grieved for Buffy and what the Slayer had to be going through, but she also grieved for the loss of her lover. They were over. Willow had crossed a line, and there was no coming back.

“Spike, Tara, Buffy came to me and told me about Kaia. Do either of you know about her?” Willow was smug, sure that Buffy had trusted only her with her secret, proving her point that she had done the right thing.

Spike nodded. “The little cavegirl, yeah, what of her?”

Ok, so she told Spike. Why would she tell Spike? Spike shouldn’t be all know-y of Buffy things. Shaking off her disbelief, she went on. “Well, Buffy asked me to help her contact Kaia. Which I did. But things didn’t exactly go as I planned. And I’ve been working on bringing her back ever since.”

Tara walked forward, pain etched across her face, “Where is she, Willow? Did you open a portal in the basement? Or is she still here?” The pain was quickly dissolving, being replaced by anger. “What have you veiled in the basement, Willow?”

“Let me say, first, that I never meant for this to happen, and that she is safe. I think.”

Spike vamped out at her statement. “You better be a little bit clearer on your confession, Witch, or this chip won’t be able to protect you.”

“Willow, where is she?” Tara had walked over to Spike’s side.

She’s chosen sides. And she’s not on mine. How could she think I would do anything to hurt Buffy? I brought her back, for Goddess sake! Defeated, even if only momentarily she replied, “Her body’s downstairs, but she’s not in it. I opened a portal, but when Buffy left, her body stayed behind. I tried a locator spell, but it keeps telling me she’s still here, when she isn’t. I’m really not sure where she went.”

Spike was growling, pacing in front of the sink. The only thing protecting Willow at this point was Glinda being there and the island in the middle of the room. I’m going to rip her throat out, and bask in vengeance, chipped or not, as her blood flows down my throat if she can’t fix this! Panting like a wild animal, he growled, “You unveil her immediately. I will take care of her now. Tara, see if you can help her-” he tilted his head towards the redhead, “-get this sorted. And fast. I may not be so forgiving in the morning…”